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8 min read

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Updated 25 May 2026

Check Iqama Status Online Saudi Arabia — Absher, MOI & What Each Status Means 2026

You can check your Iqama validity, expiry date, and current status online through the Absher platform or the MOI portal. This is useful before traveling, applying for services, or confirming your residency is still active.

Highlights

  • You can check your Iqama status instantly via Absher (absher.sa) or the MOI portal (moi.gov.sa) — no office visit needed.
  • The MOI portal allows Iqama inquiry without an Absher account — just your Iqama number and date of birth.
  • Iqama expiry dates are shown in the Hijri calendar on Absher — convert to Gregorian using any online converter.
  • An expired Iqama carries daily fines of SAR 100 per day — do not wait for your employer to tell you; check regularly.
  • The Tawakkalna app also shows your Iqama status and validity — useful if you already have Tawakkalna installed.
  • If you are travelling, airlines and Saudi border control check both your Iqama and your passport validity separately.
  • Iqama status types explained: Active (valid and in good standing), Expired (SAR 100/day fines accumulating), Under Renewal (process submitted, not yet complete), Cancelled (residency formally closed), and Absconding flag (employer reported absence — a serious legal status requiring immediate action).
  • Family sponsors can check their dependents' Iqama status in Absher → Dependents Management — expiry dates and Iqama renewal for dependents are both managed from that same section.

Quick Answers

Check my Iqama expiry dateOpen the Absher app → My Profile → Iqama Information. Free and instant. Dates show in Hijri — search 'Hijri to Gregorian converter' on Google to translate.
I don't have an Absher accountGo to moi.gov.sa → Iqama Inquiry. Enter your Iqama number and date of birth. No login or registration needed — results appear instantly.
My Iqama shows as expired on AbsherContact your employer's HR department immediately. Fines of SAR 100/day accumulate from the expiry date. Do not leave Saudi Arabia until renewal is confirmed.
Status shows 'under renewal'The process has started but is not finished. Ask your HR department for the Muroor transaction number. 'Under renewal' does not mean valid — fines still apply if the actual expiry date has passed.
Travelling soon and want to confirm validityCheck at least 2 months before your travel date. Airlines check Iqama validity separately from your passport. If close to expiry, start the renewal process before booking flights.
Iqama status shows 'Cancelled'A cancelled Iqama means your residency has been formally closed — after a final exit visa, employer termination processing, or a Kafala transfer in progress. If you are still inside Saudi Arabia with a cancelled status, this is urgent — contact your employer and visit your nearest Jawazat office immediately.
Check my dependent's Iqama statusLog in to Absher → My Services → Dependents Management. Each dependent's Iqama expiry and current status is shown. You can also check via moi.gov.sa using their Iqama number and date of birth.

Who Is This For?

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia who want to verify their Iqama status, expiry date, or residency details without visiting a government office.

What You Need Before Starting

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1Log in to Absher Individual at absher.sa — open the website in any browser, or use the Absher app on your phone (available on iOS and Android). Enter your Iqama number and Absher password. If you have never created an Absher account, you will need to register first using your Iqama number and your Saudi mobile number.
  2. 2From the Absher dashboard, go to 'My Profile' or the 'My Services' tab — the exact layout differs slightly between the app and the website. On mobile, tap the person icon at the bottom of the screen. On the website, the profile menu is in the top-right corner after you log in.
  3. 3Select 'Iqama Information' or 'Residency Details' from the menu — the label varies depending on the platform version and may appear under 'Personal Information' in some updates. This section pulls your current residency record directly from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) database.
  4. 4Your Iqama details will display on screen — including your Iqama number, issue date, expiry date (shown in Hijri calendar), sponsor name (your employer or household head), and current status (valid, expired, or under renewal). To convert the Hijri date to Gregorian, use any free Hijri-to-Gregorian calendar converter — Google has one built in.
  5. 5To check a dependent's Iqama status (family sponsors only) — return to the Absher main dashboard and go to 'My Services' → 'Dependents Management'. This lists each dependent with their Iqama number, expiry date, and current status. As the family sponsor, you also initiate their Iqama renewal here — unlike work-visa Iqamas, dependent renewals do not require an employer's Absher Business account; the sponsor manages it directly.
  6. 6If you do not have an Absher account, go to the MOI portal at moi.gov.sa instead — look for 'Iqama Inquiry' or 'Residency Inquiry' in the eServices section. This method works without any login or registration and gives you the same core information.
  7. 7On the MOI inquiry form, enter your Iqama number and date of birth in Gregorian format — the system returns your current Iqama status and expiry date within seconds. If the result shows your Iqama as expired or shows unexpected details, contact your employer's HR department immediately, as expired Iqama carries daily fines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Assuming your Iqama is valid without checking — it could have expired without your employer notifying you. Check it yourself regularly.
  • Checking too late before travel — verify your Iqama expiry at least 2 months before any international trip, as renewal takes time.
  • Confusing the Iqama expiry date with the passport expiry — these are two completely separate documents with different renewal processes and different authorities.
  • Not following up when the status shows 'under renewal' — this status means the process has started but is not finished. A stuck renewal still results in fines if the Iqama actually expires during the process.
  • Reading the Hijri date as Gregorian — if your Iqama expires on 15/08/1447H, that is not August 2026. Always convert Hijri dates before acting on them.

Timing & Fees

This is a free inquiry service. Results are instant on both Absher and the MOI portal.

Practical Tips

  • 💡Set a reminder 2 months before your Iqama expiry — check the expiry date on Absher now and put a calendar alert so you have time to prompt your employer. See how to renew your Iqama for the full process.
  • 💡Your Iqama expiry date is also visible in the Tawakkalna app under your profile — a convenient way to check without navigating Absher.
  • 💡If your employer says the Iqama is 'being renewed' but the Absher status still shows expired, ask for the specific transaction number from Muroor so you can track progress.
  • 💡Taking a screenshot of your Iqama details on Absher is useful to have on your phone when asked by authorities — though the Tawakkalna digital ID card is the official alternative.
  • 💡If the MOI portal returns no results for your Iqama number, double-check the number on your physical Iqama card — the number may have changed after a previous renewal.
  • 💡If you are planning to leave Saudi Arabia permanently and not renew, see how to apply for a final exit visa — the final exit automatically cancels your Iqama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my Iqama status without an Absher account?

Yes. Visit moi.gov.sa and use the Iqama inquiry tool — you only need your Iqama number and date of birth. No registration or login is required.

What does 'under renewal' status mean?

It means your employer has initiated the Iqama renewal process in the Absher system, but it is not yet complete. Follow up with your HR department to confirm the renewal transaction number and expected completion date.

What if my Iqama shows as expired?

Contact your employer's HR department immediately. An expired Iqama means daily overstay fines are accumulating. Do not leave Saudi Arabia until the renewal is confirmed — you may not be allowed to re-enter.

How often should I check my Iqama status?

Check it at least once every 6 months. Also check before any international travel, before major government transactions (like opening a bank account), and whenever your employer mentions they are processing renewal.

Can I renew my Iqama myself through Absher?

No. Iqama renewal is initiated by your employer (for work visa holders) or sponsor (for family Iqamas). You can check your status but the actual renewal transaction must come from the Absher Business account of your sponsor. If your employer is unresponsive, this is a labour matter — you can report it to HRDF or the Ministry of Human Resources.

What does 'Cancelled' Iqama status mean?

A cancelled Iqama means your residency permit has been formally closed in the MOI system. This typically happens after: using a final exit visa and leaving Saudi Arabia permanently, your employer processing a termination on Absher Business, or a Kafala (sponsorship) transfer where the old sponsorship closes before the new one activates. If you are still inside Saudi Arabia and your status shows cancelled, this is urgent — contact your employer immediately and visit your nearest Jawazat (Passports Directorate) office.

Can I check my dependent's Iqama status?

Yes. Log in to Absher as the family sponsor, go to 'My Services' → 'Dependents Management', and select the dependent. Their Iqama expiry date and current status is displayed. You can also check via the MOI portal at moi.gov.sa with their Iqama number and date of birth. As the sponsor, you are responsible for initiating dependent Iqama renewals — this is done directly through Absher without needing an employer's Business account.

What are all the possible Iqama status types?

The main Iqama status types shown in Absher: Active (فعّال) — valid and in good standing; Expired (منتهية) — past expiry date, SAR 100/day fines accumulating; Under Renewal (قيد التجديد) — renewal submitted but not yet complete; Cancelled (ملغاة) — residency formally closed, typically after final exit or employer termination; Absconding (هروب) — your employer has reported you as absent without authorisation, which is a serious legal status. If you see an unexpected status, contact your employer or a Saudi labour lawyer immediately.